Main Info
OVERVIEW AND HIGHLIGHTS:
Among the Apus or Andean mountains, the Ausangate Mountain rises imposingly and is admired not only for its extraordinary beauty, but respected for what it means for the Cusco cosmovision: a sacred snow-capped mountain. To appreciate the sunrise and sunset from its vicinity is an indescribable spectacle, as well as to admire its intense turquoise lagoons, which look like huge mirrors of the sky, is something that remains engraved in the soul. And on the other hand the rainbow-like appearance of the rainbow mountain is created by the sediment of minerals throughout the area giving the mountain the turquoise, lavender, gold and other colors. It was only recently discovered due to the snow melting revealing the hidden gem that’s still considered holy by many until this day. Since its discovery, Rainbow Mountain as slowly started gaining popularity and has even been listed in National Geographic’s “Top 100 Places to Visit Before You Die”.
WHAT IS INCLUDED:
- Professional Bilingual English-speaking tour guide
- Pre-Departure Briefing at your hotel 1 or 2 days before your trek
- Pick up from your hotel and transportation to the beginning of the trek
- Return transportation to your hotel in Cusco
- 04 breakfast, 05 lunches, 04 dinners, tea time and snacks (Vegetarian and Free gluten options available)
- Tents. TWO PEOPLE IN EACH TENT
- Boiled water and snacks.
- All gear and camping supplies.
- Duffel bags to pack your personal belongings into (carried by our horses- up to 6kg per
person). - Dining tent, table, stools, all cutlery, and kitchen tent.
- Portable toilet.
- Foam Mattress
- Muleteers/Pack horses to carry all of the gear.
- Fees to access private land / Campsite.
- Emergency oxygen bottle and medical kit.
We provide all high-quality camping gear to keep you warm and comfortable in all conditions.
Using the best equipment available – Mountain Hardwear Tents and Sleeping bags.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED:
- Personal trekking gear including, backpacks, trekking boots or trekking poles
- Breakfast on the first day and dinner on the last day
- Customary Tips for Guide, Driver and Cook
- Sleeping bag 20 USD we can hire
- Inflatible Matress 20 USD we can hire
- *Horseback is available to hire through local horsemen. Horses are not the property of CrossoverPeru. If you choose to hire a horse, please note horsemen do not speak English nor do they always stick with the group of hikers and the guide as the horses walk faster than the hikers. Should you choose to hire a horse you assume all liability and ride at your own risk. CrossoverPeru is not responsible for any accidents that occur from riding a horse.
WHAT TO BRING AND ADVICES:
- It is really advisable and important that you arrive to Cusco at least 2 days prior the trek, in order to acclimatize to the altitude.
- Just in case, you can take personal medication for altitude sickness, you will find locally some drugstores at the main street Av El Sol or near to the main square of Cusco.
- Please make sure to inform us about your health/food/physical restrictions in advance
so we can prepare them for you. - In case you need to pay the remaining balance, it is advisable to take some cash. You
can get some money from the ATM machines that are located in the center of the City
of Cusco. - Be always ready for rain and cold, take some rain poncho water proof clothes and warm
clothes. Proper hiking boots. - Insect repellent, some mosquitos are really annoyed specially at lower altitude, you will
probably visit Machupicchu so this advice is for You. - Original Passport is very important to enter to Machupicchu
- Extra money is advisable just in case to buy souvenirs or in case of emergency.
- Camera and Memory cards (recommended)
- Rechargeable batteries and adapters (recommended)
- Small towel and swim wear
- Proper Hiking boots, walking shoes (with ankle protectors, recommended)
- Sun block
- Sunglasses
- Flashlight (head light recommended).Travel insurance (highly recommended)
Itinerary
Download BrochureOur experienced leader will meet you in Cusco early in the morning, and take you via private transportation to the starting point of our trek- Tinqui. Here you will enjoy a local lunch, while
your gear is being loaded onto pack horses. After lunch you will begin hiking to our first camp. This day we only hike for a few hours until we arrive at the village of Upis. Here you can take a soak in the hot springs, while enjoying coca tea, and relax your muscles until dinner.
- MEALS: Lunch, Dinner
- NIGHT: Upis Campsite.
- ACTIVITY LEVEL: Moderate to hard.
- WALKING DISTANCE: 11 km – 6.835mi (approx.)
- WALKING TIME: 04 to 05 hours
- MINIMUM ELEVATION: 3.800 m / 12.467 ft
- MAXIMUM ELEVATION: 4.400 m – 14.435 ft
In this part of the Journey, we have 02 passes to Conquer, we wake everyone up around 5am, you will fuel up with a big breakfast for the day ahead. The morning starts with a hike up Arapa pass (4958m) before a slight decline to our lunch spot near Lake Puma cocha is a deep blue lake and a perfect stop for a break. Along the way you will see local herders and llamas, Ausangate mountain to your left, and you will have your expert guide
explaining the history of the locals and talking about the landscape along the way. After lunch
we continue uphill for our second pass for the day (Pucacocha pass-5000m) where if you´re lucky you may see condors and vicuñas until descending to our campsite of Anata where you will be surrounded by high mountains and incredible hanging glaciers. Watch for the glacier crashing into the lake below! As always camp will be set up for you to change and rest your weary legs and dinner will be prepared.
- MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
- NIGHT: Ananta Campsite.
- ACTIVITY LEVEL: Moderate to Challenging.
- WALKING DISTANCE: 22 km – 13.67 mi (aprox.)
- WALKING TIME: 10 hours (aprox)
- MINIMUM ELEVATION: 3.800 m / 12.467 ft
- MAXIMUM ELEVATION: 5000 m – 16404.2 pies
Today starts with Chillca pass (5050m), a very colorful mountain but only a precursor of what is
to come. After crossing the pass, you enter into a bright red valley, a wildly desert landscape with vibrant colors all around, and llamas roaming the ground below- as you approach the top of the pass you will see the beautiful Rainbow Mountain in the distance, but you’re not quite there! From here you begin descending to a wide valley and continue walking a Peruvian flat until we are presented with one final climb to the Rainbow Mountain. Soak in the sights and enjoy what you´ve worked so hard for. We will enjoy lunch in the surrounding area, and head back down the valley to make our way to the stunning Lake Ausangate where camp will be set up and waiting for you to take a rest.
- MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
- Night: Lake Ausangate Campsite.
- ACTIVITY LEVEL: Challenging
- WALKING DISTANCE: 20km / 12.4274 mi
- WALKING TIME: 07 to 08 hours
- MINIMUM ELEVATION: 4700 m / 15419.95 ft
- BASE CMAP ELEVATION. 4650m/ 15,255ft
- MAXIMUM ELEVATION: 5200m / 17060.37 ft
We will wake you up at 5:30 am with a hot coca tea cup, so you can counteract the cold of the morning. Breakfast is at 6:00 am. The trek starts at 7:00 am. We will walk for approximately 6 hours, today we must go to the Sorapata camp. After walking for almost 2 hours this day we will reach the highest point of our entire trip at 5200 meters above sea level in the Palomani point. Covering fewer kilometers today, as yesterday was a big day, we pass beautiful glacial, and lush green pampas, and follow the edge of the river. Today is a great day for spotting wildlife, so keep an eye out for condors and vicuñas. At approximately 1:00 pm we will arrive at the Sorapata camp to take lunch, the rest of the afternoon will be free to rest or contemplate the sunset, we hope to have a starry night to have the opportunity to appreciate the immensity of
our universe from this side of the world in the Andes. The dinner is scheduled for approximately 6:00 pm, this afternoon is a good day to share
experiences. During this last section, we can enjoy the beauty of Pinky Lagoon.
- MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
- NIGHT: Surapata Campsite.
- ACTIVITY LEVEL: Moderate to Challenging.
- WALKING DISTANCE: 17km / 10.5 mi
- WALKING TIME: 07 to 08 hours
- MINIMUM ELEVATION: 4600 m / 15091.86 ft
- BASE CAMP ELEVATION: 4600 m / 15091.86 ft
- MAXIMUM ELEVATION: 5100m / 16732.28 ft
We will wake you up at 5:30 am with a hot coca tea cup. Breakfast is at 6:00 am. We start to walk at 7:00 AM, today we will also walk approximately 6 hours, our destination will be the Pacchanta camp.
With only one pass to cross we will take our time today enjoying the deep blue lagoons, and alpine glacial colored lakes along the way. If you’re brave enough, you can even jump in to cool off. Views of the massive Ausangate mountain are still visible, only today you will get to enjoy them from a new angle along with views of Pacchanta Valley. Lunch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at Pacchanta camp, after lunch you can relax the muscles in the hot springs of Pacchanta where we will enjoy a nice soak and the views of the Ausangate Mountain above.
In Pacchanta we will take our transportation to Cusco and we will return to Cusco at approximately 7pm.
- MEALS: Breakfast and Lunch
- NIGHT: Not included
- ACTIVITY LEVEL: Moderate to Challenging.
- WALKING DISTANCE: 16km / 9.94 mi
- WALKING TIME: 06 to 07 hours
- MINIMUM ELEVATION: 3399m / 11151.57 ft
- MAXIMUM ELEVATION: 4600m / 15091.86 ft
